RA Medication and cancer?

nbl1

Hi Everyone,

Hope your all well. My mum had her bone scan yesterday and should get the results in about 2 weeks, just hoping everything is ok!!

As I said in my previous post she has a history of breast and ovarian cancer so is struggling to try new medication as a lot of them either put you at an increased risk of cancer or can re-start the cancer. Her Dr suggested Ciclosporin this morning but when she has read up on it this is the same and it can cause a higher risk again if you are also taking methotrexate. Can I just ask if any of you are in a similar position?

She is currently on methotrexate injections and takes painkillers, folic acid and steroids (she may be on others too).

Thanks x

dreamdaisy

Hello, what a dreadful dilemma to face, I am so sorry for your respective plights. We have a couple of people on here currently undergoing chemotherapy, one for the third time (I think) and one for the first; they might see your post and answer. I wish you both well and please let us know how the scan results go. DD

stickywicket

Mm a tough one. I had breast cancer about 20 years ago and about 30 years into my RA. For the last 11 or so years I’ve been on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine with no ill effects. I’ve never had ovarian cancer, or any other kind come to that.

I'm of the belief that one has to take potential side-effects with a pinch of salt. They have to be listed by law even if there is no great risk of them and those people who did get cancer while taking the meds might have been on a lot of other potentially cancer-causing meds also. Plus, methotrexate’s first use is as a chemotherapy drug and I know at least one of the anti-tnf meds is also used in chemo. I guess it all boils down to swings and roundabouts and whether the threat of cancer is worse than the actuality of the arthritis.

I am in touch with one of the ladies that DD mentioned who is currently on chemo and I’ll try to sound her out so keep watching this space

I hope the bone scan result is good.

nbl1

Thanks for your replies...

The problem is apart from her not wanting to go on these new tablets the Dr wont put her on them either they said because of her history it would be more than a side effect and it just wouldnt be worth it

She is on Methotrexate injections at the moment but she is still in a lot of pain and it keeps progressing to more joints.

Am I right in thinking there is a 'benign' RA and an 'agressive' RA?

X

stickywicket

I don't know about benign and aggressive but we do all seem to progress at different rates and some of us respond better than others to the meds.

I think your Mum can only be guided by her rheumatologist. It sounded as though he/she was willing to try the cyclosporine. Has he changed his mind or is it your Mum who is wary of it?

There are two factors to RA - disease progression and pain - and they don't always go side by side. If the rheumatologist is satisfied with her blood results then the disease will be under control despite the pain. However, if he's contemplating chucking another med into the mix, the disease probably isn't under control.

Does your Mum still see the oncologist? It might be worth asking his opinion of the meds. Or her GP might be worth a try, just to discuss options. You could give our helpline people a ring also.

kellerman

Hi
I'm one of the people on here who has had ovarian cancer three times and I also have the Brac gene for breast cancer.
All these specialists do just that...specialise in there own little area.
Really this is your mums choice. I'm having chemo for the 3rd time in 9 years and I know this is my choice. I want rid of this cancer.There are many cancer drugs which may be more suitable for your mum.
I had a bad reaction to a common chemo drug and am now on one that even with the side effects I'm hoping does the job.
So I have the pains but I can cope as long as the cancer gets under control. Its a difficult position to be in.At one point my oncologist gave in to my rheumy and with a push agreed to radiotheapy. Being a retired nurse I really didn't think this was the answer for me and I was right.
So...a life with pain or no life. It was a no brainer to me.
Please feel free to Pm me. My computer does play up on a regular basis but I will get back to you.Please don't think I'm minimising the RA pain in any way. I'm not but its a case of getting the mixture right to combat both the problems. May

nbl1

Thanks for taking the time to reply to me May, I really appreciate it. Im so sorry to hear your not well.

I agree with you I really dont think some of these RA drugs are worth that risk, especially for someone like yourself and my mum who unfortunately have had to go through cancer. Her nurse said to her that of course with a lot of these drugs some of the side effects can be cancer but with her history that chance is increased even more and can actually re-start it.

My mum had her ovarian cancer 6 years ago so she has now been discharged but her rheumy nurse sent for her file and after reading through it said to her she will not put her on these RA drugs, the risk is too high. Her nurse keeps telling her that there are other things they can try but as my mum keeps saying if this is as good as the pain gets she would rather put up with that than increase her chances of the cancer coming back even more.

Thanks again, I do hope your feeling better soon and everything gets sorted for you x